Devotional Christian

Called to Holiness

Chris Roberts — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:21:44 +0000

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

The words of Scripture are not words of advice. Through his Word, God has revealed to us how he expects us to live. These words ought to be welcome by us. We are wanderers lost in a dark forest and God has placed before us the map that will direct our way home. And yet we frequently treat the Bible as a book of suggestions or antiquated ideas rather than life giving revelation from God.

When God says, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2), he is not speaking to the religious elite or to the Jews only. He is speaking to us. God has not called us to live impure lives but to walk in holiness, to be holy as he is holy.

We must not disregard the words of God as given to us through other people. The preacher or teacher who tells you to be holy, the parent who tells you to avoid sin, the book that tells you to obey God – these are not agents working against you but are beacons of the light of truth, shining that light into your life. If you disregard such words it is not the messenger you ignore, it is the author. You disregard not man, you disregard God.

As you move throughout your day today, what events will try to sabotage your holiness? What temptations will be present? What traps will be in your way? Spot them and avoid them. Take seriously this word that God has called us to holiness. Be obedient to Christ and be holy as he who called you is holy (1 Peter 1:15).

When We Are Wrongly Accused

Hariette Petersen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:14:33 +0000

Do you know someone who is being wrongly accused? If so, you know the heartache that goes with those accusations. People lose family, careers, and reputations. Some are even prosecuted. I have a friend who discovered her supervisor was defrauding the non-profit organization she worked for. My friend tried to report the situation, knowing full well she could lose her job. She did. It created great stress in her home and financial situation. My friend did what she knew was right, but she was still caught in the crossfire of rumor and gossip. Two years later, the supervisor was prosecuted and found guilty.

“I have seen a wicked man in great power and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was not; yes, I sought and inquired for him, but he could not be found.“ Psalm 37:35,36. [italics mine]

It is not easy to deal with injustice. Often we witness people take stands for what they think might be true. They position themselves based on what they believe credible–often without full knowledge of all the facts. They presume, assume and prejudge. They assign guilt where none has been evidenced. Unfortunately, I’ve seen, in my lifetime, many a man accused, indicted, convicted and sentenced without once going to trial. He has met his demise in the court of public opinion. So many of our faithful Christian forefathers met their life’s end at the hands of public opinion. The greatest book in all the world was written by the saints who were slain and slaughtered for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They took a stand for what they knew was True. And in Christ there is hope.

“Mark the blameless man and behold the upright, for there is a happy end for the man of peace.” Psalm 37:37

It’s hard to see it happen to another, and harder still to personally battle. The wicked man will not last forever. He may sprout and grow for a season, but he will pass away. People will remember that he once had great promise, and they will wonder what happened to him, but he will be no more. But for the blameless man…there is a happy end.

PRAYER: Lord, let us all be as men of peace. Let our thoughts be pure, our hearts clear, our hands clean. Let us dwell on that which is undefiled, good, and kind. Let us learn to speak well of one another and seek peace and peace alone.

My Times Are In Your Hands

Emily Schankweiler — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:25:58 +0000

“My times are in Your hands!” Psalm 31:15

There is something wonderfully inspiring in the thought, that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, for each life. We do not come drifting into this world—and do not drift through it like waves on the ocean. We are sent from God, each one of us with a divine plan for his life—something God wants us to do, some place He wants us to fill. All through our lives we are in the hands of God, who chooses our place and orders our circumstances, and makes all things work together for our good—and His glory. J.R. Miller

How often am I tempted to think, “if I were in control, I would have done things differently.” I would not have chosen pain or suffering or darkness or confusion to be a part of my story. If I directed the story of my life, it would be a story of ease, comfort, wealth and the absence of any pain or struggle. But the truth is that I am not wise enough to see what is best for me. I cannot know the future, or God’s greater purpose for these events that He has brought me through. That’s why it’s comforting to know that my days are held in the hand of God.

The ultimate goal of my life is not ease or comfort, but rather to be conformed into the image of God. God does what is necessary to transform me into His image, because He knows that is what’s best for me. He can see the end result, and at times, when necessary, takes me through suffering or struggles in order to achieve that result.

The Hand that created and sustains the world does not make a mistake in the events of my life. I can trust His sovereign plan, assured of His care and love for me. Even when my steps make no sense to me, I know He will continue to direct and guide. If He who did not spare His Son is truly the Lord of my life, I can be confident that He will continue to guide and bless me, and that no event happens by mistake.

“Lord, be pleased to impart unto me, your unworthy servant, this spirit of confidence in You. May I see Your hand in all the events of life—ordering the the minor, as well as in the greater movements of Your Providence. This watching and waiting for the manifestations of Your guardian care—will fill me with thankfulness for all my mercies, and make me patient under all my trials.” (a Puritan prayer)

[copyright, 2010, Emily Schankweiler; A Sacrifice of Praise]

A House of Prayer

Chris Roberts — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:24:05 +0000

…“It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”
Luke 19:46

Donkeys braying, birds chirping, people rushing about, voices crying, “Best deals here! Change your money at my booth! Finest animals for sacrifice!” Activity everywhere, all focused on commerce, on making a buck. Perhaps there was a contest among the moneychangers that day – who can squeeze the most money from the pilgrims today? Who’s the best swindler? They were a den of robbers.

Our Lord’s words were not soft, nor was his response gentle. With a whip he drove them out. He cried against them, “This is a house of prayer! You have made it a place of desecration, a den of robbers!”

What about today’s house of prayer, what is its condition? People sometimes are too quick to make the leap from temple to church, calling the church a house of prayer. But consider what the New Testament has told us in passages like 1 Corinthians 3:16, Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? From the day of Pentecost onward, the temple is found in the people of God. You and I are the house of prayer.

What are you doing to drive the robbers out of the house of prayer? How are you keeping it pure and holy and focused on its true business, leading people in the worship and exaltation of God? We know that God is at work to purify his people. What will Jesus be driving out of your life to make you a holy house of prayer? Is your life so filled with noise – traffic, television, work, school, games – that you bear little resemblance to a house of prayer?

Follow the Psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24 in praying for God to reveal to you your faults. Ask him to show you what needs to be driven out. Then pray along with Psalm 51:10-12:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

How To Resist Satan’s Schemes

Emily Schankweiler — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:18:11 +0000

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

As Christians, we are called to stand firm against the devil, to be watchful, and to resist his scheming devices. But in all areas of our lives as believers, we are completely incapable to do these in our own strength. We don’t have enough strength or ability to stand firm against Satan. On our own, we would head into a losing battle.

Praise God that we are not alone. At those times, when we are called to do something far beyond our own ability, we learn a deeper dependence on Christ. He has promised not to leave us unequipped and alone in the struggle against Satan and sin. Ephesians 6 talks about the armor of God. He equips us for the battle. He protects us through His word, through other believers, and through the Holy Spirit. The battle might continue but the victory in Christ is secure!

When the apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians, he was not suggesting that they view their conflict with the powers of darkness as a battle whose outcome still hung in the balance. He was telling them they needed to be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might; to stand firm; to use the spiritual armor – truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and God’s Word – to resist the schemes of the devil. They were to fight from a position of victory, not out of fear that Satan might make them toast. John MacArthur

We can resist the schemes of Satan and remain firm in our faith because we know that the victory is sure! Claim hold of the truths of God with confidence, knowing that no attack of Satan can overcome our God!

[copyright, 2010, Emily Schankweiler; A Sacrifice of Praise]

The Lord Has Taken Up My Cause

Chris Roberts — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:18:27 +0000

“I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help!’ You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ “You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life…”
Lamentations 3:55-58

The Lord has taken up my cause. He has not taken up my cause that I obtain the latest gadget or gain popularity or receive a great job promotion. He has taken up the cause of redeeming my life from the depths of the pit.

In the darkness of despair, from the bottom of the pit, I cry out, “God save me!” And the Lord takes up my cause. He does what I cannot do – he makes me eternally secure in him.

As children of God we are always under his care. He has drawn near to us and drawn us near to him. His ear is close by our lips and he hears our every cry. In the darkness we hear his words, “Do not fear!” The sovereign creator of all things assures us that this situation is under his control.

As Peter says, do not think it strange when you face trials of various kinds (1 Peter 4:12). God is using your hardship for your growth and for his glory. We do not fear all the fiery darts of the evil one for we know that God has redeemed our lives. He has taken up our cause and has already won victory over sin and the grave.

Live with joy, ye saints of God! The Lord has taken up your cause. Your life is secure in him. The darkness has been destroyed with the light of Christ and though you might be walking in the valley of the shadow of death, all around shines the light of God’s redeeming love.

but I don’t FEEL forgiven…

Emily Schankweiler — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:16:16 +0000

As a Christian, have you ever had the thought, “I’m no different than I was,” or, “I just don’t feel forgiven”? Maybe you struggle with the same sin patterns that used to control your life. Maybe you find yourself having fallen into the same sins over and over again.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of this struggle and gives us hope when he says: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I [God] am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Is. 43:18-19

Sometimes I look at my life and see a wasteland of sin-wrecked scars and habits that still remain to some degree. As a non-believer, I lived a life of sin that I am now ashamed of. I was proud and selfish and did what my heart desired. And sometimes those reminders of my past leave me feeling guilty and not really living in the good of the gospel of Christ.

We tend to drag up our old sins, that we tend to live under a vague sense of guilt…we are not nearly as vigorous in appropriating God’s forgiveness as He is in extending it. Consequently, instead of living in the sunshine of God’s forgiveness through Christ, we tend to live under an overcast sky of guilt most of the time. Jerry Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life

Christ’s blood has cleansed us, not so that we should now live a life full of guilt and fear, but to live joyfully and abundantly in the forgiveness which He freely has granted to us. Let us thank God for His forgiving grace and the mercy He extended to us.

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Is. 43:25

Are You A Reliable Messenger?

Hariette Petersen — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:07:39 +0000

Ever leave an important message for someone on their voice mail? Ever entrust a vital message to one person to carry to another? Ever been given a message to share?

As Christians, we’ve been given a message–the message of saving grace. We are the transporters, the witnesses of what God accomplished through His only begotten Son. We are the trusted emissaries for letting the lost world know they have hope from the evil that besets them, and from the evil one who seeks to destroy them. We are the Paul Reveres of our faith-community. Instead of crying, “The British are coming!” in warning of impending battle, we have the clarion call announcing, ”Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming! And He’s coming to take us home.” What kind of messengers are we?

Many times, I must confess, I fail to be the messenger God has called me to be. What kind of healing can be delivered in Christ’s name when I keep the message to myself?

“A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador brings healing.” Proverbs 13:17

Jesus wants to bring healing for people lost in sin. He wants us to carry the message of His mercy and grace. He wants us to let the world know He loves them. He wants us to let them know the emptiness and despair they have found when relying upon the world and its temporal pleasures are replaced with joy in His goodness and forgiveness. We have the message of reconciliation. We know this message is true because God’s Spirit has made himself known to our spirit that we are His children.

PRAYER: Lord, help us be the reliable ambassadors, worthy of your commands to go into all the world. Fill us with Your attitude of boldness and urgency. Let us not stumble. Let us bring the healing You offer by grace through faith–a gift you have paid for and we have been commissioned to share. May we be reliable. May we be faithful to share with others the message You have given.